Search

Tonight is the last new Lost episode before the series finale, Sunday. I can guarantee two things: tears and more questions. We are having a Lost finale party that is doubling as our farewell party on Sunday. We figured if we have to say so many goodbyes we might as well say them all at once. If only I could give Sawyer a farewell hug.

Since I am not allowing myself to dwell on the real life goodbyes we must make, otherwise I’d be a pile of blubbering mush all week, I will recount some favorite moments in the Lost universe. Because I am limited to ten, I can’t say these are all my favorites, but it’s a start.

1. Charlie bringing Claire ‘peanut butter’ to share

2. Hurley finally getting to kiss Libby

3. Desmond and Penny reunited first by consciousness jumping, then by boat

4. Jack embracing faith

5. Sawyer sacrificing himself for the other 6 and jumping from the helicopter

Independent films production company, Focus Features, has released some of my favorite movies. It is the art house films division of Universal. I really like their logo; it’s very artsy. One of their more successful films is, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Boasting a pretty stellar cast with Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, and Tom Wilkinson, ES is one of the more unique story-lines I’ve encountered.

Joel (Carrey) and Clementine (Winslet) meet and strike up a relationship on a train from Montauk, NY. Joel is emotionally guarded and Clementine is a nutty, free spirit. This meeting, however, was not their first. In fact, they recently just separated after two years together, but do to a little procedure they both undergo, they don’t remember this. Most of the movie plays out in Joel’s mind as it is being erased by employees of Lacuna. These employees (Wood, Dunst, Ruffalo, and Wilkinson) all play peripheral roles in the main character’s lives, and we see these moments intermittently throughout the film.

The movie can get pretty depressing and high-strung at some points but I think it beautifully mirrors the arcing story of Joel an Clementine. It is quirky and insightful and can really make you think about choices you have made and the effect we have on each others lives. I, myself, love the ending. If you need a good film to stir your heart and mind, give Eternal Sunshine a shot.

In no particular order are the top ten movies I am eager to see with a brief reason as to why. Yes, there are some that are rentals now, but with an almost 7 month old in the house, we haven’t gotten out much.

1. Eclipse: The third installment of the Twilight Saga series, by Stephenie Meyer, premiers June 30, and I can’t wait. I was a hold out on reading the books, but when I found myself on bedrest during my pregnancy, I gave in. I am a total fan of the books and movies now. I love a good, tortured, love story. Nothing like teenage angst.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1: I have only missed one HP premier, but I do not intend to miss these last two. I heart Harry Potter and even after reading the books, again which I finally did on bedrest, I still love the movies. Yes, the books are richer in detail and the movies make some changes, but they are still highly entertaining and, I think, thoughtful and moving. And yes, I want to go the Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, badly.

3. The Losers: 3 words. Jeffrey Dean Morgan. I also am due for a good action flick.

4. The Back-up Plan: I am a JLO fan. I think she can act and I enjoy her music. Selena, is one of my favorite bios and I think Jen really shines in Rom-Coms. After surviving my first pregnancy, I am looking forward to a few good laughs, and I’m sure a few over-top Hollywood moments.

5. Date Night: This film has the potential to be unbelievably funny or unbearably funny, but raunchy. I’m hoping for option 1 and think that’s the right one with Tina Fey on board. Aaron and I love Steve Carell, and I am eager to see him in a good mix of his acting skills. Plus, great excuse, Date Night on date night?!

6. Sherlock Holmes: Who doesn’t love a big action block-buster? This looks clever, funny. and the actors are quality. Jude Law is, um, a nice-looking bloke.

7. Remember Me: This film combines two major favorites. See #1 for my mini-obsession with Twilight. Robert Pattinson is angst and tortured in this film, so lots of brooding looks which he wears well. Plus, Emilie de Ravin, better known as Claire, from Lost is Rob’s love interest and fellow tortured soul. Love the love stories.

8. The Last Song: I’m not really a Miley Cyrus fan. Nothing against her or her talent, just kinda ambivalent. I am however, a Nicholas Spark’s fan. I have read all of his books and seen all the film adaptations. I’m not expecting this to be The Notebook quality, but I enjoyed the book. This will no doubt be a rental for a night when Aaron works late.

9. Sex and the City 2: My best friend Melodi adores the series and tried to sell me on it numerous times. It wasn’t until moving to KY and I had some sleepless nights that I finally watched the show on TBS. I find the relationship dynamics fascinating and the whole show a brilliant case study into the psyche of our need for love. I enjoyed the first movie, especially because it involved a girls night. I am overdue for a girls night with Mel, so this is the perfect excuse.

10. Letters to Juliet: Yes, another love story. However, I think it is a must see when it involves one of the classics. I think the Romeo and Juliet aspect will be cheesy, but the movie will probably provide exactly what is expected; a fun, sweet, happy-ending love story meant to uplift. We all need more of those don’t we?

I thought I would start the song series off with my two favorites. Jewel is my absolute favorite artist and she is a constant source of inspiration in my life. Her songs, lyrics, poetry, books, art, blogs, tweets, videos, and causes all showcase her talent, but more than that, they are glimpses into the soul of someone who sees the good in everyone and everything, and works to make a difference if good is not to be found. Yes, I am a fan. I even thank her in my poetry book as being an inspiration! I have 6th row tickets to an upcoming concert in June and I am so ecstatic to see Jewel in concert again as she promotes her new album, Sweet and Wild.

While I adore most, if not all, of her music, Hands is, well, hands down my favorite. (I know, but I couldn’t resist!) The message of the song is so beautiful and very much needed in the world today. If my life had a theme song, this would be it. My favorite version, other than live, is on her Christmas album, Joy: A Holiday Collection, while the original is found on her Spirit album, which is my favorite album so far. I have a desire to sing this at church one day, though it would be a humble version as I cannot even compare my voice to hers. This song is a powerful reminder that we each have worth and something to offer. A very timely message for myself. I hope this makes you feel a little better about this sometimes cruel and unloving world.

Today’s word is one of the most overused in the English language, and I am guilty of its overuse frequently. I mean, are there really that many amazing or awe-inspiring things we encounter on a daily basis? Perhaps if you work in a circus or in Vegas. I have found myself even overusing it in sarcasm. “Yes, honey, the fact that OSU got a verbal commitment from a 5 star player today and you know everything about him, including his favorite color, is awesome.”

I think the application of awesome may be somewhat subjective, though I know it can be quite annoying when it is the only way people describe something they think is great, fun, cool, et cetera. Here are some synonyms for awesome according to thesaurus.com:

Two things I love in a movie; sarcasm and endless memorable quotes! The Emperor’s New Groove has both in spades, or rather because of Spade. David Spade voices the lead character, Emperor Kuzco, and manages to bring Tommy Boy type humor and sarcasm to this clever film, but he keeps it kid and family friendly. John Goodman lends his familiar voice to the character of Pacha, a local villager who wins hearts and provides many moments of dead pan humor. The villain of the story is Yzma, voiced by Eartha Kitt, and she is one ugly Disney villain. Perhaps one of my all-time favorite villains, Yzma is a diva and a very demanding employer; just ask Kronk, her right-hand goon, voiced by Patrick Warburton of Seinfield fame. My two favorite scenes of Kronk’s are when he provides his own theme music while he is sneaking out to get rid of Kuzco after Yzma’s attempt to poison him turn the emperor into a llama, and the ending scenes with Kronk leading the Junior Chipmunks and ‘speaking’ squirrel. I think Warburton and Spade provide the most humor throughout the film. The best part for me is that it is sarcastic humor for the majority of the film and this is what makes the film adult worthy. There are so many quotes that I won’t attempt to list them, but I encourage you to check out imdb’s page of memorable quotes and have a good laugh. Of course if you haven’t yet seen this movie, they are always better in context, so rent the movie! If you need more encouragement, check out the clips below. They’ll brighten your day at the very least.

I’ll leave you with my favorite quote of the movie provided by Emperor Kuzco. It is my go to quote when I’m trying to be sneaky and get caught!

My name is Heather and I am a beloved child of God. I'm 30, a pastor's wife, mom, and aspiring novelist, and journeying to find out the rest. My blog is a glimpse into this journey and the insight I gain along the way; some laughter to ease the bumps and bruises, grace to cover my many mistakes, and love to offer hope and healing from a heart that has been broken and restored again and again.